THE Environment Agency Wales is warning people who fish illegally are making a rod for their own backs.

More than 250 checks have recently been carried out on nearly 30 fishing spots.

Of those, 19 anglers were found fishing without a licence and have been reported for the offence and will appear in court.

Officers also caught 10 people netting illegally and two were caught poaching.

Jason Westerberg Liptrot, team leader for Environment Agency Wales environmental crime team, said: “Anyone who doesn’t get a licence is not investing in their own sport – which spoils it for everyone else.”